Psalms 98:1

The Bible says in Psalm 98:1-3, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.[2] The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.[3] He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” All believers should “sing unto the LORD,” and we are going to be reminded of some of the reasons to do just that in these three verses. Notice that we are told to sing “a new song.” We will definitely have new songs to sing in heaven. Singing the songs of Zion and praising the Lord Jesus in song are an important part of serving Him in this life. In the New Testament we are told in Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” Because we are told to sing a new song, it implies that there are more great songs to write and to sing and to enjoy. That is why Christian musicians can be a valuable part of a congregation. If you must, sing acapella, that is alright because the most important thing is the heart. But if you have talented musicians, the Lord can use them greatly. Some of them may even be talented enough to create some new songs. Songs can spread the gospel as well or even better than preaching.

We should sing to God because He has done “marvellous things.” God is at work everywhere in the world. Open your eyes and see the marvelous things that He has done. He created all this beauty, and He preserves it. God is also involved in all things with no exceptions. Even the terrible events of the book of Revelation will not happen until God unleashes those events when Jesus opens the seals of the seven-sealed book in Revelation chapter five. God is involved in all things, even the terrible things; and God makes sure that it is all headed towards His glory. And God will wipe away all tears. He has the power to do it and He will do it. It is all as good as done. In just a little while we will see it happen. Sing unto Him for what He will do. Who will have “the victory” in all this competition for power and authority: God.

What is the most important competition going on right now: the competition for souls. The contests and arguments of this earth have very little importance compared to each person’s eternal destiny. That is why verse two says, “The LORD hath made known his salvation.” God wants everyone to be saved through faith in Christ, and that is why He has made His salvation known. Everyone will be without excuse at the judgment. Everyone could get saved if only they wanted to know God. Verse two says that God has “openly” showed His righteousness to the unbelievers.

Those who do accept the salvation of God through faith in Christ are in the best place possible spiritually speaking. Verse three says that we have the mercy and the truth. God remembers everyone that believes on Him. God will never give us what we deserve because of our sins. That is mercy. God has revealed to us His truth in Christ. That which is hidden from the world is revealed to our hearts. It took the power and love of God to do that. How blessed we are.

The Bible says in Psalm 98:4-6, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.[5] Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.[6] With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.” Verse four speaks to “all the earth.” Everyone on the earth is commanded to praise God. Notice that we are told to make “a joyful noise,” “a loud noise,” to rejoice, and to “sing praise.” Verses five and six tell us to use all kinds of musical instruments to sing unto the Lord. We have said it before and we will say it again, if you have an ability, skill, and opportunity to use music for God’s glory, do not let it pass. It is a very important part of serving God on this earth. Notice that verse five mentions “the voice of a psalm.” It is interesting that in the Old Testament we have the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is in some ways the most spiritual book of the Bible, and the Psalms were written for the purpose of singing them. Christians are told in Ephesians 5:18, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” We have a song book in our church that we use to sing wonderful Christian songs that were written by believers in many different centuries. There is a song book that God wrote: the book of Psalms. I have heard Psalm 23 set to music. I have heard Psalm 48:1 put to song, but not many others. If you have musical ability, consider putting many of the Psalms to music so that other Christians can use the Psalms for what God intended: singing them.

The last word of verse six above calls God “king.” Jesus is the King of kings. What will the king do? The Bible says in Psalm 98:7-9, “Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.[8] Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together[9] Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” After more words telling us to be joyful and to praise God, and even telling the oceans to praise Him, verse nine says that the king is coming. Jesus will return, and what will He do when He returns: He will judge. That is what the battle of Armageddon is all about. That is what the great white throne is all about. That is what the lake of fire is all about: judgment. You can escape the judgment if you get born again through faith in the Lord Jesus. Jesus can save you from your sins.

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